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Barrier idea floated

�The only resistance against the barrier is its floats, which have a buoyancy of 25kg, so each metre of the top of the barrier has 50kg of �lifting� power, which, in addition to the 500kg breaking-strain clips between each section of it to the seabed, means a 1.8 tonne breaking strain at each section at the bottom,� Mr Moss said.

He said the barrier�s flexibility would cope with �a lot of movement� in rough weather and he found �just one float� had come off a 300m-long Eco Shark Barrier being trialled at Coogee Beach, when waves 1.5m and higher were hitting the structure in a recent storm.

At last week�s meeting, Cottesloe councillors accepted a $38.66 Department of Transport jetty licence for their proposed barrier and supported a planning application to the WA Planning Commission (WAPC) for a barrier to come ashore from Cottesloe Groyne to near the Indiana Restaurant.

Chief executive Mat Humfrey said the application would be sent to the WAPC by the start of next week and its assessment was not expected be �troublesome�.

However, funding for the barrier depends on whether Cottesloe qualifies for the State Government money budgeted for one shark barrier or enclosure each in Perth and the South-West later this year.

A WAPC spokesman said any application for a Cottesloe shark barrier should address its affect on the seabed and shore and how the beach would be restored after any trial. She said a decision would be made within 60 days, after WAPC consults all �relevant� government agencies but the council could choose to advertise the proposal for public comment.